Food Lover's Guide to Normandy

Normandy is best known for World War II sites like the D-Day beaches, magnificent monuments such as Mont Saint-Michel, and its historic port towns, but France’s northwestern coast also serves up an array of culinary delights. Here are your options for Normandy food tours.

Must-Try Dishes

When you think of Normandy, most foodies think of the three C's: Camembert, Calvados, and cider. Similar to Brie, although stronger in flavor and smell, Camembert cheese hails from the eponymous town of Camembert and is sold in convenient wooden boxes.Locals often opt to bake it by sticking the entire thing in the oven or barbecue.

The Normandy region is also renowned for its apples and the fruit works its way into a variety of specialties, including Calvados (apple brandy), cider, tarte au pommes (apple tart), apple sorbet, and even Caen-style tripe, which is braised in cider.

With 370 miles (600 kilometer) of coastline, seafood is always abundant in Normandy, so look out for fresh oysters, lobster, and mussels, or sample regional dishes such as Marmite dieppoise (fish stew) from Dieppe or Coquilles Saint-Jacques (giant scallops) from Port-en-Bessin. Other delicacies include canard à la Rouennaise’ (duck served in a red wine and blood sauce), agneau de pré-salé (salted lamb), and various meat dishes served a la Normande, which typically means accompanied by a creamy sauce. Finish with a bowl of teurgoule, a creamy rice pudding topped with cinnamon.

Must-Do Experiences

Indulge in cheese and cider tasting along Normandy’s Route de Cidre on a full-day, small-group tour from Bayeux or Caen.

Visit a traditional Bénédictine liqueur distillery in Fécamp.

Learn the secrets of French cuisine with a traditional cooking class led by an expert chef

Tuck into delicious Normandy cuisine on a private tour from Rouen, Caen, or Paris .